Oxford (PRWEB UK) 1 April 2015
Friday 22nd and Saturday 23rd May 2015
Venue: The Oxford Union and Saїd Business School, University of Oxford
For Africa to establish truly sustainable growth and succeed as a world leading continent, integration and cross-border coordination between countries is vital. The benefits of uniting the continent, while still appreciating its diversity, are not solely related to economic growth but will also allow healthcare challenges to be tackled effectively, encourage responsible leadership and governance across regions, and support migration within the continent.
The 6th annual Oxford Africa Conference on 22nd and 23rd May aims to explore the current stage of integration and collaboration across Africa to understand how it is affecting culture, society, business, and the economy. The theme of this year’s conference, ‘A Continent on the Move: People, Politics and Business across Borders’, investigates new thinking and perspectives about Africa across all disciplines, including politics, business, arts, technology and academia. The conference allows speakers and delegates to gain a deep understanding and awareness of the power and potential of an interconnected African continent. From focused discussions on how the economic power of South Africa and Nigeria could create ‘growth pull’ for other countries, to exploring how to successfully scale businesses across regions, the conference will provide a vibrant platform for thinking about Africa’s future.
You are invited to join the conference.
The Conference also seeks to inform the way that Africa interacts with the global community and vice versa, by highlighting the continent’s international nature and the influence digital technology is already having in fostering cross-border opportunities. Panel discussions will explore the impact of international initiatives in Africa, including the effects of international aid and private equity investments on the continent.
Prominent political, cultural and business figures that are confirmed as speakers include:
- H.E John Dramani Mahama, President of the Republic of Ghana
- Tony Elumelu, Chairman of Heirs Holdings
- Vera Songwe, Country Director for the World Bank
- Keorapetse Kogsitsile, National Poet Laureate of the Republic of South Africa
- Acha Leke, Director of McKinsey & Company
- Ashish Thakkar, CEO of Mara Group
The full list of speakers is available here: http://www.oxfordafricanetwork.org/speaker-list/
The event is one of the largest and most globally recognised African conferences of its type organised by students of the long-established Oxford Africa Society and the Oxford Africa Business network of Saïd Business School.
To register to attend, or for further information please contact the press office:
Kate Richards, Press Officer
Mobile: +44 (0) 7711000521; Tel: +44 (0) 1865 288879
Email: kate.richards(at)sbs.ox.ac(dot)uk
Yurie Fukuda, Communications Officer, Oxford Africa Conference Committee
Mobile: +44 (0) 7517 618286
Email: Media(at)oxfordafricaconference(dot)com
Notes to Editors
About Oxford University Africa Society
For over fifty years, this African student-run organization has served as the hub for debate and discussion regarding Africa at the University of Oxford. It has become one of the most vibrant and influential societies at the University. We foster a sense of community among our members and provide a united voice on issues pertaining to Africa at the University and beyond. OUAS seeks to set the agenda for the future of the continent by providing a platform for African students and others to engage with opportunities and developments in Africa. Above all, it is a community of change agents passionate about Africa.
The Oxford University Africa Society is unique for its diversity and its capacity to influence change. Our members hail from every corner of the continent, and indeed the world. Our members include both graduate and undergraduate students from a wide variety of disciplines. The Society's many events focus on celebrating Africa, considering the future of the continent and helping students find their place in it.
The Oxford Business Network for Africa
The Oxford Business Network for Africa is a student led group created to organize and channel the substantial interest in business in Africa amongst Oxford students, alumni and faculty. The group is run by current MBA students at Saïd Business School (SBS), University of Oxford. Every year, a number of engagements are organized including speaker events, an Africa trek and Strategic Consulting Projects. These projects can be located anywhere in Africa and usually take place over eight weeks during July and August. Projects focus on issues of major importance to the future strategic direction of organisations and benefit from the combined multi-functional skills a truly global MBA class can offer.
About Saïd Business School
Saïd Business School at the University of Oxford blends the best of new and old. We are a vibrant and innovative business school, but yet deeply embedded in an 800 year old world-class university. We create programmes and ideas that have global impact. We educate people for successful business careers, and as a community seek to tackle world-scale problems. We deliver cutting-edge programmes and ground-breaking research that transform individuals, organisations, business practice, and society. We seek to be a world-class business school community, embedded in a world-class University, tackling world-scale problems.
About The Oxford Union
The Union is the world's most prestigious debating society, with an unparalleled reputation for bringing international guests and speakers to Oxford. It has been established for 189 years, aiming to promote debate and discussion not just in Oxford University, but across the globe. The Union is steeped in history. It was founded in 1823 as a forum for discussion and debate, at a time when the free exchange of ideas was a notion foreign to the restrictive University authorities. It soon became the only place for students to discuss political topics whilst at Oxford. Distinguished individuals who have spoken at the Oxford Union include Winston Churchill, Margaret Thatcher, Mother Teresa, Malcolm X, the Dalia Lama and Henry Kissinger.
ENDS